Archives | Mel Rennie 1986-1991
An avid supporter of the Pars, and a good friend of chairman Leonard Jack, Mr Rennie joined the Board as a director in 1971.
After becoming a director in 1971 Mel became Chairman ion 28 July 1986, when Jimmy Watters decided to retire early on health grounds. He said at the time of his appointment:
"I take all things seriously. When I`m given a job to do, I do it to the best of my ability. With my fellow directors, I look forward to Dunfermline recapturing the "glory days" and, if possible, going full time."
At the time of his appointment, the Pars, under Jim Leishman, had just won the Second Division championship, and in Mr Rennie`s first year as Chairman, the team went on to achieve the unthinkable, winning promotion to the Premier League. After the promotion winning game against Queen of the South, Mr Rennie was presented with the match ball signed by all the players.
Retired as chairman in November 1991, because of business commitments. His successor was Roy Woodrow, who paid tribute at the time by saying:
"Mel Rennie has been a very hard-working Chairman and within the Board we have already indicated our thanks and gratitude to him for his nearly six years in the chair. We`ve always got on well together and I am absolutely delighted that he has decided to remain on the Board."
William Melbourne Rennie was born in 1924 in Arbroath, son of a railway signalman. He left school at 14 and became an apprentice joiner. His success took him to managing director of house builders William Rennie & Co. and a director of Landmark Warehouses Ltd.
Mr Rennie remained on the Board until his death on 1st September 2002.
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